Election Map and Current Polls

When you are done looking at this, know the 13 swing states.

Frontloading, The Court is In Session, and Alabama Politics

You will soon need to be able to define the term frontloading. See if you can figure out a definition by interpreting the cartoon here.

The Supreme Court is in session which means Case Day is coming! If you want to preview the Court's year, here are several sites that will give you some insider scoop on cases or controversies we are likely to see.

Alabama follows Arizona with a new immigration bill. We will be discussing it in our panel discussions next week. Here is a brief introduction to the bill and an article that raises some concerns over (the unintended) consequences of such policy. Will this issue be a focal point in the 2012 campaigns?

Summer Stories

The three stories that you voted to investigate to begin our current events journey were the Debt Ceiling Vote, the Conflict in Libya, and the Republican nomination race for 2012. There have been several follow up stories since each of these broke during the summer. Feel free to read your own sources and compare them to these three posted here. I will try to vary the media included on this blog. See if you can detect bias as you are following stories through the year.

Also, try to stay current. There's strife in Sirte this week. The debt ceiling may have been raised, but this week there was another budget vote and a threat that by the end of the month we could see the government shut down as Congress plays out its budget dealings publicly. Finally, while Bachman took the strawpoll in Iowa back in August, Cain took the straw poll this past week in Florida. Where do they fit in the nationwide primary polls? Try to learn who the candidates are so that the debates and stories to come will make sense. As always, bring questions to class. You can expect a quiz on current events in early October.

Judicial Branch, Executive Branch and Legislative Branch All Make Front Page Headlines

During this last full week in June, the Court made the front page of all major news outlets with a split decision in a class action case. The Court's rulings rarely receive this type of press coverage, so take note. Who was in the majority? Who dissented?

Also this week, the President announced on national TV that the surge in Afghanistan was to be reversed beginning with the removal of 10,000 of our soldiers. What is his timeline?

In the ongoing budget negotiations, a major player pulled out of the discussion. What is a debt ceiling? What is the stalemate between the Republicans and Democrats in these discussions?

Republican Debate Round II and a Democrat's Fall

Early in the campaign season, the Republican candidates are looking for exposure while the Democrats are reeling from overexposure. In the first article, note the early beginning to the primary season and the candidates to watch. And in the second article, note the discussion of potentially redistricting Rep. Weiner's seat in NY.

How Congress Voted to Increase the Deficit

Is it Congress or the President that is granted "the power of the purse"? When was the last time we balanced the budget? What is the CBO? How long has it been used? This graphic published in the Washington Post may help you understand some of the recent rhetoric around balancing the budget.